Beatriz Vaz and Mariana Gonçalves awarded with PhD Studentships from The Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)

The researchers Beatriz Vaz and Mariana Gonçalves from Pereira Lab were awarded with PhD studentships from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Both PhD projects aim to surpass the limitations of current cancer immunotherapies, addressing different strategies to reprogram cancer cells into antigen-presenting type 1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1s), which are pivotal for anti-tumor immunity.

Beatriz Vaz will develop her PhD on the topic: “Harnessing RNA-based cell fate reprogramming for cancer immunotherapy” in collaboration with Stanford University School of Medicine. This project combines great knowledge of cellular reprogramming and RNA biology. Based on our previous findings that a specific combination of transcription factors (TFs) is sufficient to induce cDC1 reprogramming, this proposal advances an RNA-based alternative approach. Delivering TF-encoding viral vectors directly to tumors poses limitations. RNA-based delivery presents advantages of scalability. Beatriz will evaluate three reprogramming approaches (modified linear, self-replicating, and circular RNA) and assess the ensuing anti-tumor immunity in vivo.

Mariana Gonçalves’s studentship will be articulated closely between academic and translational settings. Her PhD project, entitled “Harnessing Small Molecules to Facilitate Dendritic Cell Reprogramming” will be developed in collaboration with Politecnico di Torino. The project will explore the features of small molecules (SM) mimicking TFs to perform chemical reprogramming to cDC1s, an approach with the potential to efficiently reprogram cells in a cost-effective way. In addition, this approach will be used to map reprogramming-associated pathways. Besides our experience with cDC1 reprogramming, the nano-technologic expertise from the Politecnico di Torino will certainly advance reprogramming-based therapies.

Unquestionably, Beatriz and Mariana’s projects hold great promise to unlock the therapeutical value of the cancer to cDC1 reprogramming concept.